Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 vs AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro)
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 vs AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 or AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro)? Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro).
The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is the pricier of the two at $299.99, so the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 stays the pick if $150.99 matters more than those specs.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 | AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Capture Quality | 2.5/10 | 10/10 |
| Passthrough | 7/10 | 10/10 |
| Value | 10/10 | 5/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Video capture device for gameplay, cameras, or HDMI sources with creator-friendly passthrough and recording support.
It gives up capture resolution and passthrough resolution to the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro). It is the cheaper of the two, by $150.99.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro)
External HDMI capture card built for high-resolution gameplay recording and streaming workflows.
On paper the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) takes capture resolution (4K60) and passthrough resolution (4K60). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. That costs $150.99 more than the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2.
Leads on
-
Capture Resolution4K601080p60
-
Passthrough Resolution4K604K30
Where they’re identical
One spec is the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Connection Type usb-c, hdmi
The Record
14 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 and AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro)?
The largest gap is capture resolution, where the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) leads — 4K60 against 1080p60. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 1 spec, including connection type. Two capture cards from Magewell and AVerMedia, each taking a different approach to video quality and latency.
Which is better for streaming, Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 or AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro)?
Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro). The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is the pricier of the two at $299.99, so the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 stays the pick if $150.99 matters more than those specs.
Is the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) worth the extra $151 over the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2?
The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) costs $299.99 against $149.00, a difference of $151. The premium buys capture resolution (4K60) and passthrough resolution (4K60). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.